Valve lock



Nov. 23, 1937.

T. L.. STAINBRCOK VALVE LOCK Filed Jan. 2l, 1937 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 23, 1937 tAENT OFFICE VALVE LOCK Theodore Lewis Stainbrook, Garber, Okla.

Application January 21, 1937, Serial No. 121,402

10 Claims.

This invention relates to improved means for preventing the unauthorized operation of valves of various types, and the inventive idea also includes a means of preventing the drainage of fluid through the packing, as well as a protector to prevent the tampering with or breaking of the lock.

Objects of the invention are to provide a positive locking device of this class operative between the valve casing and the valve actuating mechanism so constructed that the valve may be locked in any one of numerous desired positions, either open or shut, regardless of the wear on the valve parts, and the consequent change in the full shut or full open positions of the valve actuating mechanism; and which will prevent the op eration of the valve even though the operating handle or wheel of the valve be broken, mutilated, or removed.

Other objects of the invention will be fully understood from a consideration of the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this application. While the drawing shows one specific embodiment, particularly for a valve having circular flanges on the stuiiing box, it is evident that a mere change in the shape of the device to accommodate valves having different shaped stuing boxes or flanges would be included fully in the inventive idea. The drawing, therefore, is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. Y

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device with portions cut away to show its application to a valve head, which is shown in broken lines; and,

Figure'Z is a side elevation of the device, showing its relation to the valve operating stem, and particularly showing the application of the re- 40 movable hasp padlock.

Like characters of reference denote like parts in all the gures.

The nature of the valve mechanism below the cover 3 is immaterial to a discussion of the invention. The shape of the valve casing, or of the valve cover, or of the stuiiing box, designated as a Whole by the numeral 4, is also immaterial. The invention is applicable to any valve of any construction which is operated by a control shaft 5. In the drawing the control shaft 5 is provided with the usual hand wheel 6. rIhe shaft 5, of course, passes through the stuiing box 4. All these are conventional valve parts.

The invention includes a jacket 1 for the stuff- (Cl. Y0-180) ing box, which jacket is made integral with a lock protector 8. The two are separated by a solid wall between them. The jacket has a solid top which is provided with an opening, suitably located, to permit the stem 5 to pass freely there- 5 through, and to rotate freely therein. If the valve on which the device is to be placed has a circular stuffing box then the jacket is made circular so that its wall snugly ts the stuiiing box.

A plurality of suitably sized depressions 5 are 10 formed interiorly in the top wall oi the jacket to receive the heads I0 of the stuing box bolts. By means of the bolt heads seating in these depressions, the jacket is prevented from being rotated about the stuiiing box. If the stuffing box 15 be of an irregular shape, the jacket 'i is made in the same irregular shape to t the stuffing box snugly. The very irregularity in shape would then prevent the rotation of the jacket 'I about the stuiling box, and the depressions 9 could be dispensed with, if desired.

The interior size of the lock projector 8 is such in cross area that the body II of an adjustable shackle padlock may barely slide lengthwise therein. The protector is fully open at one end only to permit the body of the lock to enter. At the opposite end, the wall is provided with a slot I2, which permits the separable shackle I3 to enter the protector. As shown in Fig. 2 the slot l2 is positioned slightly nearer to the top wall of the protector than to the bottom wall. Thus when theV shackle and body of the padlock as- Vsume their locked position, as in Fig. l, the shackle is slightly below the slot I2, and is not easily accessible to one attempting to break the lock. The protector may be of any length, but is preferably just slightly longer than the shackle I3. This aords protection for the body II of the look, as Well as the ends of the shackle I3, protruding therefrom.

In addition to the jacket l, lock protector 8, and padlock, the inventive idea includes an anchor plate I4, and a lock bolt I5. The anchor plate Iii is provided at one end with a threaded perforation to fit the usual threaded upper end i5 of the control shaft 5. Near its other end the plate I4 is provided with another threaded .perforation to t the heavy bolt I5. The top of the protector 8 is also provided with a threaded 50 through perforation to receive the lower end of the bolt I5. The center to center distance between thetwo perforations in the plate I4 may vary, but is always identical to the center to center distance between the perforation in the top of the jacket 'I and the perforation in the top of 'the protector 8. Y

The bolt i5 Vhas a through slot of suflicientV width to admit one leg of the shackle I3, as shown, and of sufdcient length that its upper wall is in substantially the same horizontal planeV as the'upper wall of the slot I2 in the protector,V

when Vthe end of the bolt is seated on the lower wall of the protector S. This arrangement facilitates insertion of the shackle through the slot I2 into the slot in the bolt, and into its home position in the lock body .I I. The perforation inthe top of the protector 8 must be located'away from the center of the protector a suflicientrdistance that the slot in 'the bolt will be aligned with one .or the other of the legs of the shackle, whenthe lower end of the bolt is screwed into the interior of the protector. The upper end II of the bQlt l! iS irl lregularly shaped to facilitate its rotation by a wrench, or other means.

T install the device on an ordinary valve it. is Simply necessary to remove. the usual Ycontrol shaitnut and the hand Wheel 6 from the control Y Shaft 5, place the jacket 7 over the stufne box 4,

.ola

f replace the hand wheel-6, screw the Aanchor plate I4 on the end I6 of the shaft 5, rotate the'rhand Vwheel untilk the valveis in the position inwhich it is Ydesired to lock it, and screw the-bolt I through `the threaded perforations in the plate I4 and in the top of the protector Bruntil it seats, or almost seats on the bottom wall ofthe protector.v The removable shackle I 3 is then inserted through the slot I2Y and one of its legs passes through the slot in the lower en d` o f the bolt I5. The body II of the lock is then Vj oushedon the-two ends of the shackle, locking theV entire Yvalve against operation'. To again change the adjustment o f the valve thelock is unlocked, the body Il and shackle I3 removed from Athe interior Of the protector, Vand the Abolt I5 unscrewed until its lower end is free of the upper wall of the proteCtOr; The hand wheel may then be turnedfat Ywill to any desired position, the anchor plate repositioned andV the valve locked as above` Vde-V scribed. Y

Y It will be noted that the jacket 'I prevents tampering with the Vstuffing box, or drainage ofV theY controlled fluid therethrough; that the protector Bprevents injury or removal of the lock, and par;V

ticularlyY that the anchor plate I4;I due to the fact that it is rigidly secured at one end to the Vcontrol shaft 5 and at the other end tothe rigidly held l bolt I5, positively prevents rotation Of the shaft V5, when theV valve is locked in a closed position,

Veven though the'hand wheel Sis broken so 'that Y its spokes would clear the bolt I5.v This is true as applied to valves of usual constructionbecause fthe shaft 5, in turning, would be raised., This raising or" the shaft would be prevented 'bythe rigid anchor plate I4, due to the fact thatrthe 'bolt' I5 is prevented from-being turned torraise the other end of tance.

I contemplate forming'the bolt I5, the anchor plate I 4, the jacket 1, and the protector of any the plate aV corresponding dis- Y material-which, under test,ibest'serves the pur- Y pose intended; e Y

j e `While "I have described and illustrated a specific Yembodimentof my invention, I am aware' that numerous alterations may be made therein without departing fromthe inventive idea, and I do not wish to be limited except by the prior art and the scope ofthe appended claims. Y Y

YI claim;

e l1; Asdevice ofthe class described comprising: v'a

Vtational movement withrespect'to each other jacket adapted to cooperatively engage and encase a valve stuffing box and to be held against l rotation about the stuffing box by said engagement; an anchor plate adapted tofthreadedly engage the valve control shaft outside the jacket; 5

Vandlock means rigidly connecting the anchor plate and the jacket for preventing relative movement between the two in any direction.

2. A device of the class described comprising: a jacket adapted to cooperatively engage and encase a valve sturing box and to be held against rotation about the stuffing box by said engagenient; an anchor plate adapted to threadedly enyany direction; and means for preventing adjustment Vof said last mentioned means with relation to said jacket and said plate.

4. A device of the class described comprising: Y

a jacket adapted to cooperatively engage .andrencase a Valve stuiiing box and to be held against rotation about the stuning box by said engagement; an anchor plate adapted to threadedly engage the valve control shaft outside the jacket; aiboltthreadedlyengaging thefree end of said anchor plate and said jacketrfor'klocking Athem against relative movement in any direction; and

means `forlocking said bolt against rotation wit 40 relation to said plate or jacket. Y y e Y 5. A device ofthe class described comprising: a jacket Yadapted to cooperatively engage andV Aencase a. valve stufing box and to be held againstA rotation aboutrthe stuffing boxby said engagement; an anchor plate adapted to threadedly engage the valve control shaft outside the jacket; a bolt threadedly engaging the free endV of said anchor plate and said jacket for locking'themv against relative movement in any direction; means. for locking said bolt against rotation with Vrelationl to saidY plate or jacket; Vand means-for protecting said locking Vmeans against tampermg. Y Y

6. In a device of the class described, the combination with a valve casing member and a valve control fmember protruding therefrom, of:v a

jacketY for the casing member prevented Vfrom ro- Vtating aboutV the casing member by its complementary engagement therewith; a plateVV threadedly secured-to said valve control member; and` means for securing Ysaid jacketgand plate together rigidly in spaced relation to render said control member immovable'longitudinally with respect to said casing member. n

7. In afdevice of the class described, theconbination with a valve casing member and a valveY Y lcontrol member protruding therefrom, of: com-- plementaryilcckine parts Aapplied to the respectiveY members, one of Vsaid partsV being threaded Vtoits respective member'for rotative and nonslidable relationship; and means for locking saidYV locking parts against Vrelative longitudinal or roand with respect to said casing and control members.

8. A devic-e of the class described comprising: a jacket for non-rotatably engaging and encasing the stuffing box of .a valve; a lock protector rigidly positioned on the side Wall of said jacket; an anchor plate having one of its ends threadedly secured to the control shaft of the valve; a bolt adapted to threadedly engage the other end of said anchor plate and to threadedly engage one Wall of said protector for preventing relative longitudinal and rotational movement between the plate and jacket; and a removable shackle lock adapted to fit snugly inside said lock protector and to lock said bolt against rotation with respect to said anchor plate and said jacket.

9. The combination with valve locking means including a removable shackle padlock, of: a protector for said padlock rigidly secured to one of the members of said locking means, and having four solid Walls, a slotted end, and an open end, and an opening in one of said solid Walls to permit entrance of the member to be locked,

10. In combination with a locking device including two elements to be locked together and a removable shackle padlock for locking them together, a protector for the padlock rigidly secured to one of the members; an opening in one Wall of the protector affording entrance for the other member, a slot in one end of the protector affording entrance for the removable shackle, and an opening in the opposite end of the protector affording entrance for the body of the padlock.

THEODORE LEWIS STAINBROOK. 

